Post # 1

Member
210 posts
Helper bee
Hey Bees, I need you to help me out.
I made a list [link removed] of some of my best $$ saving tips to share with a good friend who just learned that he and his fiance have to foot the bill for their entire wedding. But I’m sure I missed some good ones.
What’s the best way to save money on your big day?
Post # 3

Member
5827 posts
Bee Keeper
The best way to save money is to have a smaller guest list, of course that isn’t an option for everybody
Post # 4

Member
18628 posts
Honey Beekeeper
I agree on the smaller guest list for sure.
Post # 5

Member
1937 posts
Buzzing bee
DIY can save a lot of money, especially in the area of stationary.
Post # 6

Member
210 posts
Helper bee
Any *creative* tips. Sneaky, special ways to save a buck on your wedding day?
Post # 7

Member
273 posts
Helper bee
try to find flower wholesalers if you want flowers or find a way to cut them entirely if you’re not big on real flowers.
use an ipod instead of dj, especially if you have a friend that has speakers and you think would be able to fill in the role a dj plays
hit sales for jewelry, shoes, decorations etc. ESPECIALLY after major holidays and events. ie prom, homecoming, mother’s day, christmas, halloween, etc. i know it may seem weird for halloween but you can find some great deals for candles and such. you just have to dig around!
i second your number one point of making a list of priorities.
Post # 9

Member
186 posts
Blushing bee
Have a wedding in the afternoon, don’t serve a lot of alcohol (maybe just champagne), hire student musicians from a conservatory, rent the centerpieces…I didn’t do any of that, unfortunately. 🙂
Post # 10

Member
3 posts
Wannabee
Negotiate… everything! I didn’t pay full price for any aspect of our wedding. The photobooth company advertised $1299 for a package, I talked them down to $850. The caterer wanted $180 a meal, I talked them down to $140. The best time to make a deal is right before the end of the quarter when sales people have to make their numbers so need to close quick. Have a number you are willing to pay and offer that up, let them work within your budget and most of the time they will, if not, a competitor of theirs will.
Post # 11

Member
19 posts
Newbee
definately trimming the guest list is a good way to cut expenses. Also planning your date to avoid a summer saturday. We found some more great tips here: http://www.celebrationideasonline.com/Planning-a-wedding.html that helped us when planning both our daughter’s weddings in the past 16 months.. budget has been our keyword!
Post # 13

Member
440 posts
Helper bee
I am doing an evening wedding with open bar and a guest list of about 400. I have 9 Bridesmaid or Best Man and 2 flower girls.
A couple of things that are saving me some serious money –
All of my bridesmaid’s gift stuff has come from here:
http://www.wholesaleaccessorymarket.com/
GOOD WILL – I am doing a candle centerpiece and I have found all of my glass from here or the Dollar Store.
I am making my own pocketfold invitations – WAY easier but way more time consuming than I thought but I should have a savings of about $500 so it is worth it.
I found the dress I loved and waited until the store was having a promotional sale and got $200 off. I am also saving about $100 on alterations by not having the bridal salon handle the alterations.
We are providing all of our own alcohol and serving two alcoholic signature cocktails that will hopefully be consumed more so than individual drinks – either way it was cheaper with us providing the alcohol by about 2K.
We are doing a buffet with food stations – a Meat Carving Station, a Louisiana Seafood Station, A Potato/Sweet Potato Bar, a vegetable/fruit/wine/cheese bar, and an ice cream station with mix ins. And there will be 3 passed appetizers. Doing all of this food was cheaper by about $10 per person than doing a plated dinner with a choice of chicken or steak or fish.
Post # 14

Member
1573 posts
Bumble bee
Invitations at Michaels! I paid about 50 cents an invite.
Post # 15

Member
275 posts
Helper bee
Wow guys, thanks for the all the awesome tips! I too am planning a budget friendly wedding and am trying to learn as much as I can.
Post # 16

Member
1940 posts
Buzzing bee
The only other thing I can think of is using etsy. I love the alchlemy because people are bidding on you. You can always set your own price. I have seen great deals in all areas on this great sight